Chief executive has big plans for City of Gosnells

GOSNELLS chief executive Ian Cowie has some big future plans and projects for the City of Gosnells.

Council adopted the latest version of the Four Year Corporate Business Plan at last month’s council meeting.

All local governments are required to produce and establish specific requirements for a business plan.

The plan will see the goals align better with the City’s Strategic Community Plan and include costs for ongoing projects and operational activities until 2019-20.

Three projects have been added to the four-year corporate business plan including the implementation of the Lissiman Street improvement plan, development at Hester Park and the Mary Carroll Park enhancement.

Mr Cowie spoke to Comment News about some of the upcoming projects.

Lissiman Street Improvement Plan

“There has been considerable State and Local government investment in public facilities within the Gosnells town centre, such as the relocation of the train station and construction of the Agonis Building.

“However, it has long been acknowledged that the private realm within the town centre has not changed in support of these improvements.

“This, coupled with the State Government’s policy to encourage transit oriented development, led the City to develop the Lissiman Street Improvement Plan in 2013.

“Over the last three years the City has been working towards implementation of this plan. It has been included within the Corporate Business Plan this year as improvement works have recently commenced with the demolition of two derelict buildings and the City’s purchase of one building.”

Hester Park

“The City and the Department of Planning are working on the preparation of a master plan for Hester Park; a 90-plus hectare site, which is an undeveloped section of the Canning River foreshore located on Spencer Road, Langford.

“The plan will aim to revitalise Hester Park; making it more vibrant and attractive as well as providing a range of passive recreational pursuits.

“To achieve this outcome, the master plan will propose that a small section of the park be converted to residential land, which will generate the necessary funds to construct and maintain the recreational improvements.”

Mary Carroll Park

“Mary Carroll Park is a significant water bird sanctuary, which is currently underutilised due to a lack of facilities to encourage visitors.

“In 2013, the City began planning for the enhancement of the natural and recreational assets of the park and, with extensive community consultation, developed a Vision Plan for the area (available on the City’s website).

“The City has now set aside funding of over $500,000 to commence Phase 1 of the Mary Carroll Park Vision Plan which will improve access to the wetlands, provide outdoor learning opportunities and improve visitor facilities. The City is seeking partner funding from the State and Commonwealth Governments before commencing work.”